Peace talks helped in the Vietnam War, but apparently that may not be the case in the war in Afghanistan — the longest military fight the U.S. has ever had.

The government of Afghan leader Hamid Karzai wants no part of talking with the Taliban after it opened a political office in Qatar, flying a banner that said “the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.” That was the name the Taliban used for the country when it ruled from 1996 to 2001 when U.S. troops invaded.

McClatchy Newspapers reports that the talks were to have opened today. But that appears to be on hold until U.S. officials can convince Karzai’s folks to be involved.

Unless the talks can occur and be fruitful, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan could last far longer than the 2014 deadline that President Barack Obama set and the continued engagement could be far more than an advisory role.

The unwillingness to compromise on such a seemingly minor thing is another good reason for U.S. troops to exit Afghanistan now.